tony&rodney

I'm a Twins fan and have supported the team since they came to Minnesota. I do not have many criticisms of the current management team. They all have baseball backgrounds and knowledge. It is not understandable to me that anyone who believes themselves a baseball fan could take such a misplaced view of baseball acumen in criticism of Molitor. He is generally regarded by baseball players and insiders as among the most knowledgable persons in the sport in the last half century. Terry Ryan is still regarded as a top baseball man. I'm not suggesting that Ryan and Molitor should still be in their former positions but they had way more experience and knowledge than our current management folk. Change happens and it is fine, but the denigration of the former guys isn't just unnecessary, it is not accurate. It comes off as angry ill-informed opinion. Baldelli does a decent job and the Falvine duo get another opportunity this offseason to build a better baseball team. I think they will try hard to accomplish this feat and will listen and watch as next season plays out. I too am rooting for our current decision-makers to succeed.

This is the exact truth. I was happy to see the Twins get Odorizzi, but it doesn't seem to be the best strategy to hope for good luck. The Twins need to be aggressive and perhaps even overpay if they want strong pitchers in a trade or free agency. Buxton would be the only huge loss and he has missed so many games it can be argued that the team already plays without him. The Twins should sign Buxton and Polanco is the team's MVP and Donaldson has a big contract, but any move that makes the team better needs to be completed. Trades will determine whether the Twins can turn the corner because they do not have enough right now.

So it seems there is agreement that keeping the team's roster static is not an option, but there are many variations of how to add and subtract for next year. In my opinion, management has to decide on Byron Buxton as soon as possible. The Twins need pitching pretty badly. I'm thinking two trades and at least one free agent for the starting staff and a couple of relief pitchers as well. In order to accomplish a goal of rebuilding for next year as Falvey has stated every Twin in their system is available to be traded. A few Twins could be wearing new threads next year. I don't believe there is an untouchable player in the system.

I don't think competing in 2022 is an achievable goal Does Falvey and Pohlad believe that competing in 2022 is doable - those are the guys who need to believe. All we can do is think about the possibilities and wait until the decisions are made. The Twins have a chance to compete but action will need to occur on both the trading front and within the free agent market.

A good pitcher is the single most important need for the Twins. In fact, they need three starters and likely two relievers. The shocking reality is that this offseason there is a real opportunity to actually complete those necessary additions. What is going to hurt is the pieces given up in a few trades, but as Linus has already stated, "you have to give something valuable up."

The development of Jorge Alcala was a pleasant part of the 2021 season; there are always some positives in a disappointing year. Alcala should be in ink for the bullpen going into next season.

Garver or Jeffers, Larnach, Celestino, Sands, and Dobnak for Alcantara and Meyer. A ton to give, but pitching - well, the Twins need pitching.

Hmm? Odd timing seemingly which leads to further speculation. Was the move necessary this week?

Winning? The Twins need three starting pitchers better than Michael Pineda, a couple of relief pitchers, a shortstop, and a leftfielder. While I would welcome Big Mike back, there is a ton of more pressing trades/signings needed if the Twins want to be above .500.

Fine post. One quibble is that past milb players within the Twins system have also received great attention and high marks by fans. Willie Banks anyone? Going way back -Willie Norwood. Prospects are exciting but each 5-10 year stretch seems to forget that the road to the The Show is strewn with high velocity arms and can't miss sluggers (Michael Restovich). Baseball is a tough business from the players' side.

I'm a big fan of Big Mike and do not miss his starts. Like i said previously, I love his quirks and how effective he often is as a pitcher. However, I respectfully disagree with your assessment and feel Pineda is best seen as a #4. I would love to see him return next year in that role.

Rooker hits the ball hard and I'm hoping another team feels they would like him in their lineup. Rooker is pretty rough in the outfield and may be most valuable as a third or fourth piece in a trade for a pitcher. Still, Brent Rooker is a player that is worth a roster position and certainly should be on a 40 man list. He is still developing and gaining experience and his past indicates improvement over time.

Nick, thank you.

The Twins finished on a positive note - that is a good thing.

Thank you for the milb game summaries. This is a big reason I come to Twins Daily.

The reports published around the trade deadline indicate that there is near agreement on a base contract for Buxton. The next discussions will revolve around incentives related to at bats and games played. The Twins will want some give if they provide a guaranteed base of $10-11 million per year and Buxton's agent will argue for a high dollar ceiling for incentives. The Twins are probably less worried about injuries than many fans. They need some protection because of his career thus far. Regarding injuries ... Buxton is healthy and athletic enough to maintain his current condition for at least five years. We are not seeing him bang into walls any longer and he is more restrained in his daily play than previously. Some of this intentional and some is due to gained experience. The hit by pitch injuries are not predicable. Finally, it seems like several years have passed since Buxton has had debilitating migraines. In sum, Byron Buxton is a solid bet for the next seven years within the context of a contract that contains a base plus incentives. This type of contract recognizes that there have been previous concerns which management must consider. The question is how high will the Twins go with incentives. Will they pay $35 million if Buxton wins an MVP? I cannot see why the Twins shouldn't be able to work out a deal but there is always the slim possibility to let the contract play out. Pitching is the primary need for next season but the last week has shown how valuable Byron Buxton is to the Minnesota Twins.

The Twins really need to decide whether Buxton is "their" player and hopefully there is a deal worked out based off of a base plus incentives. Buxton is the real deal when on the field. If, and only if, it is necessary to trade Buxton then the Padres and some other teams could be decent partners. In the proposal by Capt'n Piranha quoted, I suggest a simple tweak, pulling back Garver and Ober and substituting Ryan. Moving Buxton means major adjustments and pulling Garver back allows me to trade Larnach, Jeffers, Dobnak, Rooker, and Celestino for Sandy Alcantara and Max Meyer. Jose Miranda will get a chance to play 1B, 2B, and 3B next season if he shows the tools next Spring Training. I'm excited to see him play for the Twins. The disappointment of 2021 has manifested itself across the region and Twins fans want a return to playoff baseball or at least a relevant competitive team. Just recently Falvey reiterated that he plans to make moves that return the Twins to a different place in the standings. We shall see. We hope Buxton is back but all contingencies need to be examined and Jose Miranda is also certainly a piece of the puzzle.

Sorry to read that Ben Rortvedt is on the IL with a concussion. He is easily the best catcher and maybe he can learn to hit .225. Garver and Jeffers are better offensively but will never match Rortvedt as catchers. I'm interested in what other teams think about our catchers.

Agree. I didn't suggest the trade but just wonder what value Buxton holds for another team. If the Twins cannot sign him they need to allow teams an opportunity to negotiate a contract with Buxton. This then changes the calculus of value to some extent. Back to the Padres ... I have wondered what they value and it is worth remembering that no prospect is a star yet. Buxton is a unicorn of sorts and I am predicting decent health and a strong career from him going forward. Of course, this almost seems foolish given his troubles staying on the field but he is young, strong, has not lost a step, and has begun to gain some real MLB skills. I hope Buxton signs with the Twins but am in the dark as to value to another team.

Doesn't it seem like everyone likes Big Mike? I like Big Mike because he is so quirky and still manages to keep the Twins in most games he pitches for 5-6 innings. Management should likely expect 15-20 starts and from 75-125 innings from Pineda. The budget will determine whether there is money to pay whatever he wants. Pineda will have some demand as a bottom of the rotation pitcher from a number of teams. What do the Twins want to spend for a #4 starter? I'm guessing that Falvine will not invest $15 million in Michael Pineda.

We sure hope Buxton continues as a Twins and plays like a superstar, but his contract situation is difficult to figure. Additionally, it is really hard to know what value he would have in a trade. Someone wrote in a comment elsewhere that the Twins should trade Buxton for C. J. Abrams and Mackenzie Gore. Hmmm? Both of these guys are viewed as potential stars but could also fizzle too. It was fun to watch Buxton play last night and I'm hoping the Twins can find common ground with him. His status is the first piece of the offseason puzzle.

I'm also confused why anyone sees Donaldson as anything other than a positive for the Twins. I guess it continues to beg the question - what are the Twins plans going forward? Jose Miranda has had a terrific season and if he is ready to contribute at the major league level there will be a spot for him. He can be a piece next year or perhaps included in a trade for pitching. If the Twins are planning to be competitive next season (.500 or better), they will need to explore every decent free agent and trade possible. Every single player can be traded from the current roster if the trade makes the team better. Obviously, there are players we want to hold (Polanco, Buxton, Donaldson) or develop further (Ryan, etc.), but the goal needs to focus on a better team in 2022. Miranda needs to play where he is a better defender. If he can play an average LF and hit, fine. The Twins do not need any more weak defenders. I'm hoping he gets 500-600 at bats next year for the Twins and hits .280 with production as well as playing sound defense, likely between 3B, 1B, and 2B.

I agree with this, but I believe the Twins need to attempt to overwhelm Miami with an offer of multiple current MLB players. Unless the Twins are looking to 2023/2024 to compete, they will need to add players to bolster their talent. The offense has not been particularly productive and it seems counterintuitive to subtract several of Jeffers, Garver, Sano, Arraez, Larnach, Kepler, or Buxton, but the path to victory runs through pitching. An important question regards how Miami views Jeffers or Garver and whether two to three additional players might entice them to part with what we need.

I echo the comments by TopGun#22. The AL Central was pretty weak from 2019-2021 and looks to be stronger going forward. The Twins will have opportunities to return to the top with aggressive moves this winter.

Miami needs catching and has pitching - the Twins and Marlins line up for a major trade. Rortvedt is a good catcher and can hit .225 and works in a platoon situation.